​Barcelonamidfielder, Sergio Busquets, has blamed the Blaugrana's lethargic start for their shock 2-1 defeat at Levante in the first leg of their Copa del Rey last-16 tie on Thursday night.

Goals from Erick Cabaco and Borja Mayora in the opening 18 minutes rattled Barcelona's cages, allowing the hosts to get a firm foothold. Levante kept piling on the pressure and could have gotten themselves further ahead had it not been for some inspiring goalkeeping from Jasper Cillessen.

Philippe Coutinho's late penalty kept Barcelona in the contest and Busquets feels that the club will have all to play for when they welcome Levante to the Camp Nou for the second leg, next Friday.

Speaking after the shock 2-1 defeat, the defensive midfielder, as quoted by ESPN, said: "The tie is open after Coutinho's goal."

"The team deserved that, above all for the way we played in the second half. In the first half, we came out asleep and they were able to take advantage of that, putting us on the ropes with two goals."

"They dropped their intensity after that, though. They had [Jose Luis] Morales' chance [to make it 3-0], but I think in general we were better and deserved -- at the very least -- our goal. We had chances," he concluded.

A coach who has Dembele, Coutinho , busquets ,vidal and Malcom at his disposal should be able to defeat Levante without Messi.. Valverde is our weakest link in the team.. Barcelona may not win CL because of him.. A coach that can bottle a 3 goal lead against Roma kai